nervy

adjective

ˈnər-vē How to pronounce nervy (audio)
Definition of nervynext
1
as in wise
displaying or marked by rude boldness the nervy waiter held up the small tip and called out to the departing customers, "Hope it doesn't break the bank!"

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2
as in adventurous
inclined or willing to take risks nervy rock climbers wanting to make gravity-defying ascents

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3
as in nervous
feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty I'm a little nervy about my first job interview

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of nervy Her unvarnished, heartsore turn as a woman unprepared to be the face of a movement, but shouldering that responsibility anyway, gives this otherwise stoic affair a nervy, sensitive spine. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 23 July 2026 Coach Thomas Tuchel helped England navigate a nervy 3-2 win over Mexico in a Round of 16 match in Mexico City. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 14 July 2026 At lunch, after 25 overs, were a nervy Henry Nicholls on 23 from 50 balls and Rachin Ravindra on 11 after a couple of exquisite boundaries. — ABC News, 17 June 2026 Outside Boston last weekend, during Scotland’s first World Cup match in twenty-eight years, a nervy 1–0 victory against Haiti, McTominay heard plenty of familiar cheers. — Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for nervy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nervy
  1. wise
  2. adventurous
  3. nervous
  4. cheeky
  5. daring
  6. worried
  7. cocky
  8. fearless
Adjective
  • Street-wise, independent travelers wanting to immerse themselves in the city, and live like locals without any of the hassle.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • But the show already had a natural stopping point coming up that would be appropriate, storytelling-wise.
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of wise
Adjective
  • Of note for more adventurous appetites are the oxtail and blue cheese pizza or Zambian whole bream fish.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Later, Mars trines Neptune in your 5th House and brings your adventurous energy somewhere much more enjoyable.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of adventurous
Adjective
  • Everyone was in a good mood, if a little nervous about what was going to be discussed.
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Alberto Hernandez Castillo, a Cuban national with lawful permanent residence in the United States, was also acting nervous, the agent said.
    — David Goodhue October 6, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of nervous
Adjective
  • The coordinated moment was a cheeky homage to Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake’s unforgettable denim-on-denim date-night look from the 2001 American Music Awards.
    — Amanda Le, InStyle, 27 Sep. 2026
  • In a November 2020 episode of Unlocking Us hosted by Brené Brown, the author spoke with the late Dolly Parton, who had a cheeky bit of gossip to share about her old friend Burt Reynolds.
    — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of cheeky
Adjective
  • After two daring and provocative ready-to-wear shows, Jean Paul Gaultier creative director Duran Lantink took things down a notch this season.
    — Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The shoes feature a pointed-toe with a low-cut V-front and a cutout at the center of the vamp, adding another flirty detail to go with the daring pop of red on the sole that is the designer’s signature touch.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of daring
Adjective
  • Not that the type of people staying here are worried about getting anywhere; this is the private car and driver, door-to-door service type of clientele.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • But instead of celebrating that success, Andi is worried she’ll be seen as an opportunist rather than a legitimate co-author.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of worried
Adjective
  • The recruits are rounded out by Jude Callan (Ronen Rubinstein), a charming, cocky bad boy with unexpected depth.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Delafonte is Playboy Ray, a cocky, obnoxious, and supremely talented all-around cowboy.
    — Denise Petski, Deadline, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of cocky
Adjective
  • This caution is surprising in a writer who has elsewhere been fearless about identity and America, attentive to the country’s institutional capacity to humiliate, compromise, and implicate the people who claim it.
    — Zain Khalid, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The fearless action and yachting photographer has spent 40 years capturing iconic images while dangling from the top of a 200-foot mast or diving beneath the keel of a racing boat.
    — Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of fearless

Browse Nearby Words

nervous wrecks
nervy
nescience
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Cite this Entry

“Nervy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nervy. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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